To set the scene, I was selling a camera lens on ebay with a 'buy it now' price of £34.99. I got some very odd messages from one prospective buyer. I was getting red flags due to him having a western username, a regular John Smith type of name, yet English didn't seem to be his first language and the fact that he referred to it as 'the item', not 'the lens', so I decided to humour him to see if it was anything scammy. Anyway, this is how it went:

Prospective Buyer: i'm interesting for this items, can u tell me how much shipping cost to my country? i'm waiting for your reply.

very best regards

Me: Postage to Indonesia will be £12.50

PB: HI there,

Thank you very much for your great and quick reply, i'm interesting for it, forgive me..can i offer for £40 including lens and shipping cost? if you accept my offer, i'll buy it now. thanks again.

very best regards

Me: I'm sorry, I can't let it go for that. The BIN price is the lowest I'm willing to go.

PB: HI there,

okay ..so totally is £34.99 + £12.5 = £47.49 right? last offer from me if you dont mind, i want to offer you the price for £45, can you accept the offers please? waiting for your reply.

Best Regards

[After this message the item sells to another buyer]

PB: The listing is end?

Me: Yes, the listing is end. Someone who wanted to pay the Buy It Now price for the 'item' bought it.

PB: hmm...i just wanna click buy it now and see it listing is end. i wish i can buy it,

Me: We all wish and strive for things in life. Sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail. Today you failed but you have learned, and next time you will be quicker. I've enjoyed our correspondence and am loath to see it end, but today our ways part, my friend. I will remember fondly the phrase 'the listing is end' and will think of you when I use it. And I will use it. Fare well, and good luck in all you do.